Barça is 13 points behind Madrid. “We continue with emergencies, there are many points of disadvantage,” he recalls Xavi Hernandez as a piece of information to maintain prudence in the face of the airs of optimism that have been unleashed with the arrival of the coach and to maintain the demand for a Barça too far from the leadership. Also far from Betis. Four points above, which makes him “a direct rival”; for now, to access European positions. That is how far Barça is from the place that corresponds to it. Or the one that usually occupies.
It did not cost Xavi anything, therefore, to say that this Saturday’s game against the Verdiblanco eleven “is vital.” Then the term “vital” was used to qualify all Barça matches. Then Bayern will come, then Osasuna, Elche, Sevilla … Shortly after, he announced that the concept “the most important week of the season” would be repeated. And later, the one of the “most important month”. “This is Barça: this is about winning and winning, it is not worth drawing, much less losing,” he summarized.
Change defensive “habits”
Barça is lagging behind the usual competitors and that keeps the pressure at the highest level, with no room to speculate or allow themselves to stumble. Neither to do rotations, changes or tests. The high number of injured makes it difficult to distribute the minutes fairly. Xavi walks with the determination to instill his concepts after checking some tactical defects of the past, from the Koeman era – “habits”, said the new coach -, which he wants to correct.
He can only instruct, but with the limitations of the many injured; the last one was Sergi Roberto, whom he defended from criticism, considering that he has been unfair to him because he was always willing to play despite not being one hundred percent. In the end, the versatile footballer from Reus, has decided to stop and go under the knife to solve his tear in the quadriceps of his right leg. “It is essential for the team, now and when he recovers and I have transmitted it that way, “said Xavi. He has transmitted it to president Joan Laporta and football director Mateu Alemany, showing himself in favor of renewing his contract that ends on June 30. Also that of Ousmane Dembélé.
The involvement and will of Sergi Roberto is the same as that of de Ansu Fati, whose “desire to train and to help excite”, but who will not be in time to reappear against Bayern Munich. A will also similar to that of Sergiño Dest, finally recovered from low back pain.
“It is necessary to be cautious with Ansu,” he warned, announcing, in a general way, that the players will not be forced more because of the risk that the convalescence from an injury lasts longer. What happened to Pedri, who invited the squad to dinner on Wednesday for having won the Kopa Trophy. In passing, he congratulated Alexia Putellas, who highlighted his personality as a footballer and, of course, to Lionel Messi after winning the seventh Ballon d’Or. “As soon as the envelope is opened, I feel that football is fair.” Xavi thinks of his former partner and friend who has been the best footballer in history.
Dembélé, always in the field
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Of the danger of relapses is an exponent Ousmane Dembélé, happily recovered from all muscle mishaps … until next time. The current concern with the French winger centers on the renewal of the contract as Roberto. Xavi also fervently defends her.
“I have evidence that it is not only an economic issue, but a sports project and I have already conveyed to him that it is very important for us, that it will be a key piece,” said the coach, who would not relegate Dembélé to the stands if he continues without extending the contract. Neither by conviction nor by “the image that the club would give off “.
Reference-www.elperiodico.com